It’s been 15 years since Brad and Dianne Schieck started fostering children, but for them it has passed in a blink of an eye.
The couple has opened its home in Mapleton to over 50 children, many who stayed there long term.
The Schiecks will be among several foster parents recognized on Oct. 26 at the annual Foster and Adoptive Parent Appreciation Event in Ariss, hosted by Family and Children Services of Guelph and Wellington County (FCS).
“Dianne and Brad Schieck are very caring, dedicated and enthusiastic foster parents,” said Kirk Jenkins, FCS families to permanence worker.
“They have a real passion for fostering and have been able to provide stability, a sense of security and compassion for the children placed with them … Both Dianne and Brad are very committed to helping children and supporting birth families.”
A tragedy in the family pushed the Schiecks to start fostering.
“Growing up, my parents’ best friends fostered, and so I always knew that we would, and then we were busy raising our three biological children and then my nephew died,” said Dianne.
“So I said to Brad, ‘It’s time.’”
Her nephew died in an accident in 2000 and by 2002 the couple started fostering.
Brad said they wanted “to make changes in (the children’s) lives, that were failed at home; no fault of theirs, just trying to make some good positive changes in their world and their life.”
Dianne said there are good days and bad days, just like any other parent.
“We just had a boy go off to college,” she said.
“We were surprised and ecstatic and you know it was like a real achievement for him, a milestone, because the things that we expected for our regular kids we try to expect those same things, but it’s really hard sometimes for them to make those achievements given the roadblocks they’ve had.”
Dianne said there are a lot of misconceptions about being a foster parent.
“Probably the hardest part … for me, is when people in the community don’t treat them like they are ours,” she said.
Brad added each child comes into their home with individual needs and issues.
“You can’t parent them all the same way,” added Dianne.
She said seeing the children succeed is the best part.
“People always say to us, ‘Oh I could never do that because it would be too hard to send them home,’ and sometimes it is,” she said.
“But mostly, if you’ve had a really good plan and you’ve worked it out over a fairly decent amount of time and the team is all on the same page, it feels fantastic to send them on, whether they go home or to an adoptive home.
“People would think it would be the hardest, but it’s actually the most exciting because we think they are going to do well and we have high hopes for that.”
For the kids that come from the city, Brad said it’s great to bring them out to the country to allow them to help in the barn, be outside and be active.
Dianne and Brad have three grown biological children and five grandchildren. During the early years, each of their biological children would have a say in bringing a new person into the home.
“It was always very good to hear their comments; I don’t think they ever voted no,” she said.
Brad and Dianne are both humble about being recognized.
“I didn’t think it was 15 years,” Brad said.
“We’re just normal people trying to do the best we can,” added Dianne.
She said fostering has become who they are.
“Over time, it’s not just what we do for myself, it’s who we are, it’s who I am. I’m really passionate about the kids that we have in our home,” she said.
“It’s not a hobby, it’s a way of life.”
Dianne said Wellington County is lucky to have great long-term foster parents, but adds there is a need in the community.
“We could use a lot more foster parents in Wellington County, and people do think that you either have to have this great amount of knowledge … but people seem to think it takes a special kind of person and it could be anyone,” she said.
“Anybody can be a foster parent. If you have an open mind, an open heart and an open door, you’re all set.”
FCS will recognize 52 foster and adoptive families on Oct. 26 at Ariss Valley Golf and Country Club. Ten foster families will be honoured for 5, 10, 15, 30 or 40 years of fostering.
